Shigella Outbreak Linked to San Jose Restaurant Continues to Grow

LA Testing provides analytical services to identify Shigella and other microbial pathogens to help prevent infections.

Garden Grove, CA, November 3rd, 2015

Last week, San Francisco’s CBS affiliate announced that the number of people thought to have been sickened by a bacterial infection believed to be associated with a San Jose restaurant has climbed to over 180 people. According to their report, 72 of the cases have been confirmed by local health officials.

People in a total of five surrounding counties have become ill with shigellosis, a highly infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria known as Shigella. The restaurant believed to be linked to the outbreak has been shut down. Already, two people who developed infections have filed separate lawsuits alleging negligence against the restaurant owners.

Most people who become infected with Shigella can expect to develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. These symptoms typically start a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria, and it usually goes away in five to seven days. However, some people who are infected may have no symptoms, but they may still pass the bacteria to others through contaminated hands and by touching surfaces.

“Food products contaminated with Shigella have been associated with outbreaks in the past,” said Joy Dell’Aringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Director at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Contaminated surfaces and poor hand washing are also common culprits for the spread of the bacteria. To help prevent these types of outbreaks, LA Testing offers rapid qPCR testing services and sampling supplies to identify Shigella. Testing services are also instrumental for identifying the root cause of an outbreak that has already occurred and for confirming disinfection protocols."

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about Shigella and shigellosis from foods and contaminated environments that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/FI6nC5zZMZc.

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other substances. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Sierra Madre, Garden Grove, San Leandro and San Diego.